COMBINED HARVESTING AND TRANSPORTING MACHINE

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined harvesting and transporting machine, comprising a multi-directionally pivotable and extensible boom assembly (1). The boom assembly (1) has its outermost end fitted with a crosswise jib (2), one end of which is provided with a clamp harvester (4) and the other end with a loading gripper (3). The crosswise jib (2) is adapted to pivot in its longitudinal direction around an axle (8) for turning either one of the ends (3 or 4) to a working position, as required.

Description: Combined harvesting and transporting machine. The present invention relates to combining the actions of a harvesting machine and a transporting machine in a single machine. The invention is based on the fact that the current machine stock is primarily suitable for clear cutting and even for that it is needlessly expensive. Normally, the cutting or logging operations are performed by using a separate cutting or harvesting machine, whose price can be e.g. about 1,5 - 2 million Finnish marks, and also by using a separate transporting machine which generally costs over 1 million Finnish marks and, thus, such a combination of machines costing nearly 3 million Finnish marks is not particularly feasible for economical thinning operations and, when the combination has been used for this type of thinning work, the remaining trees have suffered damage. Hence, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of forestry machine, whose primary application concerns thinning operations but which is naturally useful for other cutting operations as well. A novel type of machine of the invention is particularly suitable for the cooperation between a logger and a machine operator, wherein the logger leads the way felling and cutting the heavy trees and the machine is used for lopping and cutting the tops and for picking up the cut timber to be carried away by the transporting machine. Such a combination is even ecenomically sound as the cutting by manual labour produces quality logs and results in a more through exploitation of timber. In addition, the logging as manual labour is relatively inexpensive, e.g. about FIM 20,-/solid meter, while the production of spruce pulp as manual labour incurs about treble costs. A novel forestry machine of the invention is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing section of claim 1. The invention will now be described with reference made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic exemplary view of one transporting machine suitable for carrying timber and adaptable to practicing the present invention. Figs. 2 and 3 show a schematic side view and frontal view, respectively, of a detail according to one embodiment of a machine of the invention in two different operating positions. Fig. 4 is a schematic frontal view showing a detail in another embodiment of a machine of the invention, and Figs. 5a and 5b show schematically another detail in a machine of the invention. As shown in figs. 1-3, a machine of the invention includes a conventional boom assembly 1 having its outer end fitted with a crosswise jib 2. One end of the crosswise jib 2 is provided with a clamp harvester 4 and the other end with a loading gripper 3. The crosswise jib 2 is adapted to pivot in its longitudinal direction around an axle 8 for turning either one of the ends 3 or 4 to a working position, as required. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate in more detail a linkage between the crossar 2 and the rest of the boom assembly 1. In fig. 2, the crosswise jib is shown in a side view and in an end view from the outermost end of the boom assembly with the loading gripper in its lower operating position. Respectively, fig. 3 illustrates the clamp harvester 4 in its lower operating position. Naturally, these operating positions are just examples and the jib 2 can be locked in any desired pivoted position, for example in a position forming a substantially longitudinal extension for the rest of the boom assembly 1 for providing a maximum reach. The crosswise jib 2 is adapted to pivot around the axle 8. This pivoting action can be effected e.g. by means of a hydraulic cylinder 5 and associated gear rack 6 fitted inside the boom assembly 1 , said gear rack 6 being in cooperation with a gear 7 mounted on the axle 8, whereby the shifting of said gear rack 6 forward or backward rotates the axle 8 and the crosswise jib 2 mounted thereon. The axle 8 is journalled to the boom assembly 1. This pivoting action of the jib 2 can naturally be effected in many other ways known as such to a person skilled in the art. In view of practical operation, it is also preferred that the clamp harvester 4 and/or the loading gripper 3 be provided with locking means for locking the same rigidly to the crosswise jib 2 whenever necessary. Such a locking means may comprise e.g. a hydraulically operated locking cone, one embodiment of which will described in more detail hereinbelow in conjunction with figs. 5a and 5. Naturally also other locking means known as such to a skilled person can be used for locking the loading gripper and the clamp harvester rigidly to the crosswise jib. The clamp harvester 4 and loading gripper 3 mounted on the end of the crosswise jib 2 are further equipped with usually hydraulically operated control elements, enabling the normal functions and operations thereof the same way as conventional separate loading grippers and clamp harvesters. Fig. 4 illustrates a crosswise jib assembly divided into two jib sections 2a and 2b, said clamp harvester 4 and loading gripper 3 being located on different sides of the actual boom assembly 1. By means of this solution the crosswise jib can be balanced in a relatively simple manner. The crosswise jib is preferably mounted on the pivoting axle 8 in such a manner that the relative angle of different jib sections 2a and 2b can be varied in the longitudinal direction of the crosswise jib. In addition, the jib section 2b extending towards the gripper 1 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 10 and a pivot joint 9 for swinging the gripper 1 aside when passing the boom 1. Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate one embodiment of a cone locking for locking a clamp harvester and/or a loading gripper rigidly relative to the crosswise jib 2a, 2b. Fig. 5a shows the cone locking with the locking on and fig. 5b with the locking off. This cone locking comprises an operating cylinder 14, fitted inside the jib section 2a, 2b and having a piston 15 provided with a crosswise pin 13 which is fitted in a guide opening 16 included in the jib section 2a, 2b for movement in the longitudinal direction of the opening. To the crosswise pin 13 is journalled a link element 17 to which is in turn journalled a pivoting means 11 by means of a pivoting pin 12, which is substantially perpendicular to the crosswise pin 13 and to which the clamp harvester 4 and/or the loading gripper 3 can be coupled.

Claims: Claims 1. A combined harvesting and transporting machine, comprising a multi-directionally pivotable and extensible boom assembly (1), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the boom assembly (1) has its outermost end fitted with a crosswise jib (2), one end of which is provided with a clamp harvester (.4) and the other end with a loading gripper (3), said crosswise jib (2) being adapted to pivot in its longitudinal direction around an axle (8) for turning either one of the ends (3 or 4) to a working position, as required. 2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the clamp harvester (4) and/or the loading gripper (3) is provided with locking means for locking the same rigidly to the crosswise jib (2) whenever necessary. 3. A machine as set forth in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the locking means comprise a hydraulically operated locking cone. 4. A machine as set forth in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the pivoting elements for the crosswise jib (2) consist of a gear (7), mounted on the pivoting axle (8) and operated by a hydraulic cylinder (5) which is included in the boom assembly (1) and provided with a gear rack (6). 5. A machine as set forth in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crosswise jib is designed to include two sections (2a, 2b) with different sections located on the opposite sides of the boom assembly (1), one jib section (2a) being provided at the outermost end thereof with the clamp harvester (4) and the other jib section (2b) respectively with the loading gripper (3). 6. A machine as set forth in claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the relative angle between the jib sections (2a, 2b) is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the crosswise jib.

Inventors: TAMMISALO TOIVO, TAMMISALO, TOIVO
Applicants: TAMMISALO TOIVO, TAMMISALO, TOIVO
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A01G23
IPC codes: A01G23